Time since shutdown began:
Few lawmakers were in the Capitol building Saturday, having been assured of 24 hours notice before any vote. President Trump tweeted: “We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security … but it could be a long stay.”
The Debrief
After vowing to “take the mantle,” the president seeks to foist blame on Democrats.
Hours before the shutdown began, a worker swept up needles from a discarded Christmas tree at the Russell Senate Office Building. (Erik S Lesser/REX)
Hours before the shutdown began, a worker swept up needles from a discarded Christmas tree at the Russell Senate Office Building. (Erik S Lesser/REX)
Bonita Williams, one of roughly 2,000 janitors, security guards and federal building workers who stand to lose wages because of the partial government shutdown, worries she won’t be able to pay her rent.
Some have suggested that President Trump bowed to backlash from high-profile conservative pundits who lambasted him for appearing to concede on the wall funding.
Q&A
Here are ways people across Washington and the country are affected.
“You know what? It’s yours,” President Trump said of Syria. “I’m leaving.” The call, shorthanded in more or less the same words by several administration officials, set off events that, even by the whirlwind standards of Washington in the Trump years, have been cataclysmic.
Brett McGurk had been planning to leave his post in February 2019, but accelerated his resignation after the president's decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria.
The Take
Analysis
The defense secretary has effectively asked everyone to step up and make their positions clear, to defend what they believe in and to challenge what they don’t.
The story must be told.
Your subscription supports journalism that matters.
Months after he arrived in the United States, the Saudi journalist's phone lit up with an incoming call from Riyadh, and it became clear he would never fully escape. A year later, he would be dead. This account reveals new details about the final 18 months of his life.
The internal debate over Matthew G. Whitaker’s signature, which began weeks ago, shows how concerned even top Justice Department executives are that his appointment to acting attorney general is vulnerable to a legal challenge.
Fox News Channel’s perky morning show is typically a safe space for President Trump and his surrogates, but recently it has shown an unusual amount of critical questioning of the administration.
(Randy Heiss)
(Randy Heiss)
“My Spanish isn’t very good, but I could see it was a Christmas list,” said Randy Heiss, who found the note while hiking in Arizona and started a search for the sender.
Solo-ish
Most bad gifts stem from lack of thought paired with last-minute shopping.
Weekend Picks
Retropod
Podcast
(Library of Congress)
(Library of Congress)
Before 1913, the presidential press conference didn’t exist. But a president who liked reporters changed that.
(Blair Guild/ The Washington Post)
From Cabinet turmoil to a partial government shutdown: The chaotic week in Washington
From Cabinet turmoil to a partial government shutdown: The chaotic week in Washington
Play Video 5:42
These disgusting candy cane flavors are the real War on Christmas
Play Video 2:53
Foreign leaders react to Trump's abrupt decision to withdraw troops from Syria
Play Video 2:16
Trump's many, many shutdown threats
Play Video 2:33
Market Watch
Dow 22,445.37
Today 1.81%
S&P 2,416.62
Today 2.06%
NASDAQ 6,332.99
Today 2.99%
Last Updated:12/21/2018
From Our Advertisers
This content is paid for by the advertiser and published by WP BrandStudio. The Washington Post newsroom was not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more about WP BrandStudio.